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Wadena man faces burglary and drug charges

WADENA—A 33-year-old Wadena man was charged Aug. 24 in Wadena County District Court with felony first-degree burglary and four misdemeanor drug charges.

The drug charges against Ryan Paul Petro were for unlawful possession of atomoxtine hydrochloride and sertraline hydrochloride.

According to a news release from Wadena police, a Wadena resident spoke Aug. 20 with the police department about a man who was inside her home two nights prior. Officers were unable to find the suspect that night. The suspect, later identified as Petro, was inside the victim's home unbeknownst to the family when they arrived home. A short time later Petro left the house. The resident reported missing several pieces of women's clothing belonging to her and another family member.

When speaking with police, the victim also spoke about the night when she had seen an unknown man at her front door when she arrived home a couple months ago; and then later that same night he was peeking in her window. Those incidents were also reported to law enforcement. The man left that night and was not located by officers.

Wadena police contacted the Minnesota Department of Corrections, which supervises Petro. Agents conducted a field visit at Petro's residence, which is part of his conditional release monitoring, the news release stated. Agents found several pieces of women's clothing consistent with what the resident reported missing. A search warrant was then obtained by police and 120 pieces of women's items were located. Petro was arrested and transported to the Wadena County Jail.

The Wadena Police Department was assisted by the Wadena County Sheriff's Office, the Wadena County Attorney and the DOC.

"We would like to commend this local resident for calling law enforcement when she saw something suspicious," the Wadena Police Department stated in a news release. "Her actions assisted in putting this investigation together. Stay vigilant with your neighborhood and if you see something, say something."